Cry Freedom Page #9

- Moses, it's the right one.

- Good luck, Father.

- Thanks. The roads are awful.

- Sh*t, it's 8.30.

- Yeah, we've got to move.

- It took me two hours, coming down.

I was really pushing this thing.

Now, where is

that child's doll?

She'll never sleep tonight

if she doesn't find it, will she?

- We're never going to make it.

- We can't get stopped by the police.

Something very

wrong here, Charlie.

It's 9.15. I can't believe I've gone this

far just to turn round and go back again.

For God's sake, move them out of the way!

Please! Move them!

Excuse me. Can you tell me which is nearer,

the British or American Embassy?

We are a Commonwealth country, Father.

It's the British High Commission.

But which is nearer?

The British High Commission

is there on the right, past...

Thank you.

Thanks.

Excuse me. I have to see the

high commissioner immediately.

My name is Donald Woods, I'm the editor

of the Daily Dispatch in South Africa.

There's a Father Donald Woods...

No, no, no, no, no, no.

I'm not a Father.

An editor,

to see the high commissioner.

Yes, sir.

The high commissioner is in London, but

the acting high commissioner will see you.

Thank you.

Good Lord!

I'd no idea you were a priest!

I'm not, but I desperately

need to use your phone.

Please.

We understood you were banned.

I was.

Do I need a code?

No, no, you dial direct.

Would you care for a cup of tea?

I've come to ask your government

for political asylum.

Our pleasure.

Hello?

Oh, Donald.

Yes, that was good timing,

she's just arrived!

Well, she's just pulled into

the driveway, dear.

Wendy!

Wendy!

Donald, you haven't quarrelled, have you,

dear? She's got all the children with her.

No, no, you'd better not say anything.

She's just coming.

Oh, darling.

Hi, Gran.

It's Donald.

Isn't that a coincidence?

Go on, Mum.

Answer it.

Hello, Donald.

Wendy, I'm... I'm where

I expected to be.

- Come as quick as you can.

- He's there.

- Hello, Donald?

- Yes.

Donald, shall we still

make for the Telle Bridge?

Yes. From where you are you should

have good roads most of the way.

- Just hurry, before... just hurry.

- We're on our way.

I love you.

I'm a priest.

You can't speak to me like that.

Just hurry.

- We're going on an aeroplane.

- Now, all you kids go to the toilet.

- Come on, lads.

- Have you got any biscuits?

Regina, come along, quick. I don't know

what's happening, but we may need help.

- I'll drive you, dear.

- Thanks.

You'd have to overfly

South African territory,...

...and they demand that all planes

land in South Africa before going on.

Well, they can't stay here. They'd never

be safe from the South African police.

Look, we had hoped to fly to Botswana.

And the sooner the better.

- That's over two hours' flying.

- Could they force us to land?

They have no shortage

of military planes.

Well, my wife and children will be

at the Telle Bridge in a few hours.

We could be there

to meet them...

- In this rain? Impossible.

- They'll have to stay in a hotel overnight.

We'll telegraph to have

them met at Telle Bridge.

What's going on here?

I'm just taking the children

over for a little holiday.

- Are they all under eighteen?

- Yes.

You can put their

names on your form.

You picked good

weather for a holiday.

Well, they say the weather changes

every half-hour, so it might be fine.

That's for sure.

- Mum, you've got my birthday wrong.

- Never mind.

You haven't put down

your husband's name.

James.

Middle initial?

D.

- Have a good holiday.

- Thank you. Come on, boys.

I wish they'd get the signal straight.

They're trying to tell us something.

- I've got it.

- Wonderful.

Tell them not to leave

anything in the car.

- Here, dear, I found this.

- I never brought anything for the rain.

Darling, it's not much, but you can't go to

England with five children and no money.

Oh, Mum.

We must hurry.

- You will write to us?

- All right, Mum.

Be careful.

We love you.

Goodbye, Grandpa.

- See you soon, Granny.

- It suits you, Janey.

Look after yourself, Granny.

God bless you.

Mummy, it's running

down my neck.

- Are you all right?

- Yes, I'm fine.

- Is that too heavy?

- I'll manage.

Mummy.

Bruce!

Daddy!

Daddy!

- I thought you'd never get here.

- Daddy, are we going in the plane?

Welcome to exile.

Listen, look after your kids.

I must phone in that scoop.

- I'll make you a hero.

- Right, I'll pay you later.

What with?

Here is the 12 o'clock news.

An Australian news report has stated

that the banned editor of the

Daily Dispatch, Donald Woods,

has escaped into Lesotho by swimming

the flooded Telle River by night.

Now this is a moment you'll want

to remember. Look happy!

Now get outta here.

- Mr. Woods...

- Donald...

- Jane, make sure my bag is safe.

- Mr. Woods!

The South African government have told

Lesotho they refuse transit for the plane.

And they say they'll force it down

with jets if you fly anyway.

I think they're bluffing. With all the

media attention, it would look very bad.

They don't give a stuff about

the press. They've shown that.

- Have we got a chance?

- Yeah, Ritchie's a clever pilot.

I'd say a chance. But the longer you wait,

the longer they have to plan something.

- If Ritchie will go, we'll go.

- Oh, sh*t.

Trouble.

- Good afternoon.

- Afternoon.

Mr. Woods, we've arranged

United Nations passports for all of you.

And the Prime Minister has decided I

should accompany you. We must hurry.

- Mrs. Woods, good luck.

- Get on that plane.

- Bye-bye, Bruce, take care.

- Send us a postcard!

We hope that these passports

and my being here,

might make the South Africans

hesitate, but we're not sure.

- But it's the best we can offer.

- Everyone strapped in?

A friend of Steve Biko's

is a friend of ours.

How long before we're o... How long

before we're over South African territory?

About 30 seconds.

I won't be going where they expect me,

but they'll expect that too.

Roger, hang on.

They've picked up the flight.

They're demanding to know

who's on board.

McElrea thinks we must

give them some answer.

Tell them one Lesotho official and seven

holders of United Nations passports.

Mac!

- Have you heard the news?

- Remember we're on the phone.

Yes, I know, I know. But tell me,

what are your sources telling you?

The schoolchildren in

Soweto are on strike,...

...citing something called

black consciousness.

They have refused

to study Afrikaans,...

...refused to be trained simply

as servants to the system.

The name... Biko...

...has been uttered

here and there.

It's the beginning

of the end, Donald.

Change the way people think,

and things will never be the same.

- What's the government's reaction?

- Tense.

Troops have been sent

in to restore order.

Hell, they're kids.

They may shout a little bit,

break a few windows, but...

Now, stop!

Stop right there!

This is an illegal gathering.

I am giving you three minutes

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